Third Annual ‘Beer Flights’ Beer Garden Returns to Denver International Airport

DENVER – The Third Annual “Beer Flights” beer garden is back at Denver International Airport for the third year in a row. This popular event coincides with worldwide Oktoberfest celebrations and the Great American Beer Festival in Denver and brings a taste of Colorado brews to the airport.

The beer garden will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10 on DEN’s plaza located outside on Level 5 between the Jeppesen Terminal and Westin Denver International Airport. Tickets are available at the door for $10 and includes a souvenir glass to taste 10, 2-ounce samples of beer. Visitors must be 21 or older with a valid ID to enter. Cash and most major credit cards will be accepted.

“‘Beer Flights’ allows us to showcase Colorado’s outstanding microbrew industry but also recognizes our close friendship with our sister airport in Munich, the home of Oktoberfest,” said airport CEO Kim Day. “We invite beer lovers – whether travelers or neighbors – to stop by our outdoor plaza and sample some of the best beer available this side of Bavaria.”

“Beer Flights” is organized by Denver International Airport and the Colorado Brewers Guild.
Colorado is home to nearly 230 established breweries and more than 10 percent of the nation’s craft breweries can be found in Colorado. A total of 10 Colorado breweries will be represented at the event and each brewery will have two different beers to sample. They include:

  • Avery Brewing - El Gose, Joes Pils
  • Boulder Beer – Buffalo Gold, Pulp Fusion
  • Epic Brewing – Tart ‘n Juicy, Lil’ Brainless
  • Odell’s – Drumroll, Myrcenary
  • Oskar Blues – Priscilla, Beerito
  • Elevation Beer Co. – 8 Second Kolsch, Apis IV
  • Tommy Knocker – Butthead-Bock, Pick Axe
  • SKA Brewing – Steel Toe, Modus Mandarina
  • Telluride Brewing – Bridal Veil, Wahcked Out
  • Renegade Brewery – Pancake Maple, Consilium

DEN will host live musical performances daily from 4-6 p.m. and attendees can also enjoy talks by brew masters, brew trivia, table games and more. Passengers can also purchase souvenir pint glasses only available at the beer garden. The participating brewers will have giveaways for the attendees.

An official Beer Flights event “Passport” will be given to attendees to assist in their taste tour of the Colorado brews. DEN will use #DENBeerFlights when posting photos or information about the event on social media.

Denver International Airport is the 19th-busiest airport in the world and the sixth-busiest airport in the United States. With more than 54 million passengers traveling through the airport each year, DIA is one of the busiest airline hubs in the world’s largest aviation market. DIA is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $26 billion for the region annually. For more information, visit www.flydenver.com.

Denver Startup Week Showcases Thriving Entrepreneurial Community in Fifth Year

13,334 people registered to attend 306 programs at the fifth annual event

DENVER (Sept. 20) – Denver Startup Week, the largest free entrepreneurial event of its kind in North America, wrapped up on Sept. 16 following five days of events that showcased Downtown Denver’s thriving culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. 13,334 people registered to attend 306 programs focused on highlighting Denver as an entrepreneurial center on the local, regional and national stage, while enhancing community and providing resources for the startup community. Denver Startup Week was made possible by Title Sponsors Chase for Business, Comcast NBCUniversal and the Downtown Denver Partnership, in addition to more than 50 other community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs.

Organized by the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and co-led by Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, Erik Mitisek, executive director of Project X-ITE at the University of Denver, and Ben Deda, chief operating officer at Galvanize, Denver Startup Week grew attendance at the fifth annual event by nearly 25 percent.

“Denver Startup Week continues to make a powerful statement that our entrepreneurial ecosystem is one of the best in the country,” said Ben Deda, chief operating officer at Galvanize. “Growing by nearly 25 percent in our fifth year highlights the significant value our local community provides to those looking to start and grow their business.”

Highlights from the week include:

  • Governor John Hickenlooper and Mayor Michael B. Hancock joined Denver Startup Week organizers and sponsors to celebrate surpassing 12,500 attendees with a toast on Sept. 14. Mayor Hancock also spoke at the event’s kick-off breakfast with encouragement for those who start a business in Denver to access the resources and top talent to stay in Denver. Both Governor Hickenlooper and Mayor Hancock also participated in several panels throughout the week.
  • Several organizations received funding support through Denver Startup Week programs, including $240,00 in philanthropic grant funding awarded to four organizations who provide assistance to underserved entrepreneurs. Accion, The Commons on Champa, Mi Casa Resource Center and the Path to Entrepreneurship (P2E) Program for Underserved Entrepreneurs in Boulder County by JPMorgan Chase each received $60,000 grants at the Kick-off Breakfast on Sept. 12. The Commons on Champa also received a $25,000 grant from Wells Fargo to support year-round programming.
  • The first-of-its-kind Denver Startup Week Pitch Challenge, sponsored by Project X-ITE, saw more than 150 applicants vie for the title of Champion of Denver Startup Week. The Soccer Sidekick, presented by Santiago Valez, won more than $25,000 worth of prizes from the Denver entrepreneurial community. Other finalists included SYNEK, Givella, Prima-Temp, Orderly Health, mcSquares, edn and AdKiosk.
  • The inaugural Maker Wall, constructed by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, showcased products from Colorado’s diverse maker community including Revolar, Topo Designs, Icelantic Skis, Novo Coffee and more. The Maker Wall will soon take up residence at The Commons on Champa.
  • Denver’s reputation as one of the best places to start and grow a business once again attracted notable speakers and founders including Bryan Leach, CEO of Ibotta; Joshua Reeves, CEO and Co-Founder and Eddie Kim, CTO and co-founder of Gusto; Dan Caruso, CEO and Chairman of Zayo Group; Lee Mayer, co-founder and CEO of Havenly; Chris Terill, CEO Of HomeAdvisory; Mel Robbins, a well-known and inspirational TEDx Talk speaker, and Ryan Wood, founder of Sweetwood Cattle Company and co-founder of Under Armour.

"Denver Startup Week showcases the bleeding edge in technology innovation in Downtown Denver and across the State, and it's been exciting to watch this event grow so successfully over the last several years" said Scott Heimes, CMO of SendGrid. "SendGrid is proud to play a role in Denver Startup Week by providing support, mentorship and knowledge sharing for younger startups so we can collectively foster a growing local startup ecosystem." 

"Denver Startup Week is an amazing way to connect with other entrepreneurs, even ones at very different stages from you, and really get plugged back in to the whole community,” said Lee Mayer, co-founder and CEO of Havenly and speaker at the Kick-off Breakfast.  “The local ecosystem is clearly thriving and as it continues to grow, will continue to be such a vital source of support to those of us who take a leap of faith to give starting something new a try." 

Denver Startup Week 2016 By the Numbers also includes:

·         More than 300 volunteers

·         Nearly 1,500 people attended the Denver Startup Week Job Fair to meet with 65 companies

·         More than 6,000 people visited Basecamp, launched by Chase for Business

·         More than 5,000 companies represented

·         664 center city tech startups employ 4,508 people, according to the Downtown Denver Startup Report released Monday, Sept. 12

·         More than 1,000 people attended the Kick-off Breakfast, which sold out in 26 minutes

·         3,094 cups of coffee, provided by DripJoy

·         30 Biz Dev and 30 Financial Fitness sessions at Basecamp

·         47 mentors contributed 94 hours of volunteer time

“Our growing number of sponsors, volunteers, participants and companies proves Denver Startup Week is by the community and for the community, and we continue to welcome people who want to be part of driving the best in technology and innovation,” said Erik Mitisek, executive director of Project X-ITE at the University of Denver.

Basecamp, launched by Chase for Business, returned as the hub and epicenter of Denver Startup Week. Basecamp featured an exciting line-up of entrepreneurs and innovators through keynote speakers, panels and mentoring sessions throughout the week. Chase for Business also held 30 individual Financial Fitness sessions for the community this year to help enable financially strong startups.

“From the beginning, we’ve supported Denver Startup Week to help provide an authentic platform to cultivate startups and innovation, and create the connectivity that will grow this ecosystem,” said Chris Jensen, middle market manager for Chase in Colorado. “As we wrap up our fifth year of sponsorship, we’re extremely proud that Denver’s startup scene is booming and registration is breaking records. This year we put a spotlight on nonprofit organizations such as the Commons on Champa that provide infrastructure that entrepreneurs - particularly women and minorities - need that will open doors and create more opportunities for startups to thrive.”

New resources were also made available to Denver’s entrepreneurs through Denver Startup Week, including the Denver Office of Economic Development releasing the fifth edition of the Denver Capital Matrix, a resource directory of funding sources for Denver small business and entrepreneurs.

“Denver Startup Week showcases Downtown Denver as an epicenter of culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and helps inject additional momentum into our year-round programs and resources for the startup community,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership.

Dates for the sixth annual Denver Startup Week will be announced later this year.

*Click here for photos from Denver Startup Week.

About Denver Startup Week: 
Denver Startup Week, founded in 2012, is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Denver.  The weeklong event is intended to unite the entrepreneurial community in Denver and celebrate the great companies, innovation and ideas happening in the city and the people and inspiration behind them.  The core programming is centered on the entrepreneurial community with an emphasis in technology, design, social entrepreneurship, manufacturing and business.  Events throughout the week are organized by both the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and the community at-large and include sessions, presentations, panels, workshops, happy hours, social events, job fairs and more.  Denver Startup Week is sponsored by the Downtown Denver Partnership, Comcast NBCUniversal, Chase for Business and several community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.DenverStartupWeek.org. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Brea Olson, @DENStartupWeek, 303.775.4712
[email protected]

Photo by Denver Startup Week

New State Website Celebrates Companies That Have Chosen Colorado

Relies heavily on storytelling and encourages other businesses to share their history
 
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) launched on August 1, 2016 a new website that celebrates the companies that have chosen to do business in the state. At the same time, the site provides the needed tools and resources for executives who are considering moving to Colorado and local job creators who are growing and retaining businesses in their communities.

"The momentum of the state's competitiveness has been fueled by a vibrant small business ecosystem, highly skilled workforce, and the creation of a comprehensive economic development strategy fueled by the Colorado Blueprint," said Fiona Arnold, executive director of OEDIT. "I'm thrilled that we now have a platform that leverages our tools and resources and focuses on storytelling to feature the value proposition of Colorado as a place to do business."

Since 2013, more than 111 companies have announced expansions or relocations in the state bringing in more than 27,076 jobs. These projects have supported net new job creation in Colorado's urban and rural communities across diverse industries of small and large firms. 

While national rankings continue to list Colorado in the top for living and doing business, OEDIT wanted a channel where they could provide more in-depth insights than just a list to showcase why being in Colorado is good for business. 

"Before we began the process of developing a new website, we conducted a survey of business executives both in and out of state to learn about their impressions of Colorado and where there might be opportunities for our marketing efforts," said Liz Cahill, chief marketing officer for OEDIT. "We learned that more than half of the respondents had positive feelings associated with the state including confidence in the business climate, emboldened by a smart workforce, and inspired by our location. Our issue was that our website didn't communicate any of these optimistic outlooks."

At the heart and soul of the website are stories from executives of Colorado companies discussing why they choose to do business in the state; whether it's the ability to tap into an invigorated workforce, partner with innovative executives, collaborate with a business-friendly government, or take advantage of the Rocky Mountains. 

One of those executives was Becky Yoder, CFO at Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC. 

"It was important for me to share the story of how we found success in Colorado, because I wanted to help inspire others, especially international firms that are looking to have a U.S. presence, on the benefits of collaborating with related technology firms who are oftentimes right down the road," Yoder said. "Partnerships and collaboration in this expansive Colorado aerospace community are key to fulfilling our customers' missions. We would be hard pressed to find that anywhere else."

The website features an initial set of success stories, photos and videos from Colorado companies across various industries including Surrey Satellite, Panasonic, High Noon, Boa and Ball Aerospace. In total, more than 60 Colorado companies and organizations contributed to the new website.

"There's something special about the people who choose Colorado. These are the people who are tackling some of the nation's most critical issues, and they are doing it together because they want to better their industry and our economy," Cahill said. "The fact that these executives took time out of their busy schedules to share their story or source a photo is a testament to their passion and drive for ensuring Colorado's success."

Cahill hopes that more Colorado companies will be inspired to use this platform as a vehicle to tell their story and is currently seeking submissions indefinitely.

For more information on doing business in Colorado or to submit your company's story for consideration visit www.choosecolorado.com.

 
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www.advancecolorado.com

External Audit Verifies City's Good Financial Health

Reposted from denvergov.org

The City and County of Denver received an unmodified or “clean” opinion from its independent auditor, BKD, for 2015.  Denver’s Charter requires an annual independent external audit of the City’s finances, with separate reports for Denver International Airport, the Wastewater Management fund and the Deferred Compensation Plan Trust Fund.  

These audits verify that the City and County of Denver (CCD) has accurately and fairly presented information in its financial statements.  “The overall financial condition of Denver is excellent,” observed Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA, who is chairman of the City’s Audit Committee which supervises the annual external audit.  Denver has submitted its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) to the Government Finance Officers' Association for a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  CCD has received this award every year.

“Denver is a huge operation, so it’s no surprise that everything doesn’t work perfectly all the time,” explained O’Brien.  “The purpose of the annual external audit is to identify areas of risk for the City.  City Controller Beth Machann and other City officials have instituted a culture of continuous improvement to make sure errors aren’t repeated, and that systems are perfected to prevent inaccurate accounting.”

BKD’s 2015 audit found a material weakness in DIA’s accounting for capital assets.  BKD recommended that in projects like the DIA Hotel and Transit Center, involving multiple funding sources and multiple contractors, tracking mechanisms should be developed for financial assurance and financial reporting.  BKD also recommended that documentation of significant decisions should be maintained.

Significant deficiencies were found in capital asset accounting and reporting, which was the subject of an audit performed by the Auditor’s Office in March.  In the Denver Department of Human Services, limited staffing led to infrequent reviews of the electronic benefit transfer card.  It was also recommended that DDHS enforce its policy detailing when and why case comments should be entered by case workers dealing with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.  The Office of Economic Development was encouraged to obtain Federal Housing Authority rates annually to calculate the correct amount of federal housing assistance in affordable housing projects. 

“The City agreed with all of BKD’s findings,” said O’Brien.  “BKD also alerted us to new accounting requirements that will be effective in future audits, and provided helpful guidance on the past year’s implementation of GASB 68 rules for pension accounting and reporting.  BKD’s government experience and familiarity with frequently changing accounting rules are a beneficial combination for the City and County of Denver.”

2015 Management Letter from BKD
2015 Required Communication
2015 Single Audit Reports
2015 DIA Financial Statements
2015 DIA Passenger Facility Charges Statements
2015 Wastewater Management Financial Statements
2015 Deferred Compensation Plan Statements
2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne Announces Colorado Blueprint 2.0 Initiative Recipients

DENVER - Thurs., July 21, 2016 - Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne today visited the town of Delta to announce recipients of the first round of the Colorado Blueprint 2.0 initiatives. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) launched Blueprint 2.0 last year as a way to examine how best to serve rural communities around the state and identify opportunities to leverage the state's resources. 

"Blueprint 2.0 is a great example of how Colorado is going above and beyond existing resources to support the needs of our rural regions," said Lt Gov. Donna Lynne. "We congratulate today's recipients and look forward to seeing how these regions leverage the new services and resources to help strengthen their economies and communities."

Colorado Blueprint 2.0 Recipients:
* Industry Attraction Initiative: Rio Blanco, Trinidad
* Competitive Advantage: Fort Morgan, Limon, Dillon
* Grow Your Outdoor Recreation Industry: Ouray, Montrose
* Strengthen Local Business Brand: San Luis Valley, Buena Vista, Delta
* Tiny Homes Community Master Plan: Morgan, Steamboat, Pagosa Springs`
* Adaptive Reuse Workshop: Brush, Delta County, Summit County
* Call Yourself Creative: Buena Vista, Rio Blanco County, Kremmling
* Incubator/Accelerator Best Practices: Morgan County, Steamboat, NWCOG
* Tourism Promotion: La Junta, Delta County, Rio Blanco County
* Community-Led Initiative: Custer County

Over the past year, OEDIT hosted 13 strategy sessions throughout the rural regions of Colorado to develop the ten different initiatives that communities would find most beneficial to apply for through Blueprint 2.0. Each initiative includes services not previously provided by the State, and leverages state resources and partnerships with organizations outside of the State of Colorado to provide technical assistance to regions who expressed an interest in pursuing the initiatives.

Many communities applied for Colorado Blueprint 2.0 initiatives, and during the application process, communities and regions were asked to demonstrate collaboration, strong local leadership and solid support for the initiative they chose to pursue.

Initiatives will be deployed between now and December 2016. A new round of Blueprint 2.0 initiatives will be unveiled in 2017.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper
Office of Economic Development & International Trade
Holly Shrewsbury, 303-892-3847
[email protected]

B Line to Westminster Opens July 25

Reposted from RTD-FasTracks

RTD received official notice that the B Line from Union Station in downtown Denver to Westminster will be ready and open for service on Monday, July 25, 2016. This notice came from project concessionaire, Denver Transit Partners (DTP). 

"RTD staff, our contractors as well as our federal, state and local partners have put in a remarkable effort to complete the B Line's first segment," RTD Chair of the Board of Directors Tom Tobiassen said. "This rail line will be the third project this year the agency opens to the public with the G and R Lines coming later in 2016. This many major transit line openings in one year are unprecedented in public transportation and the region should be proud of the collaboration that is making it happen."

The B Line to Westminster will be the second electric commuter rail line to operate in Denver-the first being the University of Colorado A Line to Denver International Airport, which began service on April 22.

"Our ability to bring this type of rail connection to the Denver area is ground-breaking and will change the way residents and visitors experience our great cities," said RTD's CEO and General Manager Dave Genova. "We have elevated the standards of transit by implementing an electric commuter rail system that is safe, quick and highly accessible."

The ride from Union Station to Westminster will take 11 minutes. Trains will run every 30 minutes during peak hours (6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m., Monday through Friday) and every 60 minutes during non-peak hours every day.

Electric commuter rail vehicles are faster than light rail, with a top speed of 79 mph versus 55 mph. The vehicles are also larger and carry more people than light rail vehicles-200 people at maximum. Commuter rail vehicles have level boarding at all doors of the train and have two wheelchair spaces per car. These trains also have large seats, overhead storage, luggage towers and bicycle racks.

This segment of the B Line will serve two stations: Denver's Union Station and the new Westminster Station located at West 69th Avenue (future Westminster Station Drive) and Grove Street.

"The opening of Westminster Station in a few short months presents a tremendous opportunity for the city and regional commuters  - 11 minutes nonstop to Denver from a signature station will be a catalyst for future development," Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison said. "We're excited to be leading the way with the first connection on the FasTracks Northwest Rail line to Boulder and Longmont."

The remaining segment, from south Westminster to Longmont, will be diesel-powered commuter rail. Construction of the line from Westminster to Longmont will begin when funding becomes available.

The B Line to Westminster is part of the Eagle P3 project, the nation's first full public-private partnership for transit. Eagle P3 is a $2.2 billion project, which includes local RTD taxes combined with a $1.03 billion federal grant and $450 million from DTP, the project concessionaire. As concessionaire, DTP will build, operate and maintain the trains for 34 years.

MONDAY•  JULY 25
GRAND OPENING
Westminster Station
3200 Westminster Station Dr
(just west of 71st and Federal)

Ceremony
10 A.M. – 11 A.M.

Celebration
Family friendly fun, games, food, and live music!
11 A.M. – 4 P.M.

Free rides on the B Line!
11 A.M. – 9 P.M.


SATURDAY•  JULY 30
STATION PARTIES
Union Station
Games, music, entertainment!
2 P.M. – 6 P.M.

Westminster Station
Carnival games, food, beer garden, face painting, live music, and fireworks show at 9pm!
6 P.M. – 10 P.M.

Free rides on ALL rail lines!
5 A.M. – 10 P.M.

IFA Kicks Off 2016 @OurFranchise Campaign and Tour at PostNet in Denver, Colorado

Cresanti Highlights Franchising’s Agenda for Growth and Opportunity in Nationwide Tour

WASHINGTON, July 19 – International Franchise Association (IFA) President and CEO Robert Cresanti today kicked off the @OurFranchise Campaign by launching a nationwide tour starting in franchising hub Denver, CO. The event, hosted by PostNet International Franchise Corporation CEO Steve Greenbaum, captured the stories how local franchise business owners and their employees are supporting their local communities and creating jobs and business ownership opportunities at their franchise. 
 
“In neighborhoods across the country, franchising brings together brands, local owners, employees and the local community,” said IFA President & CEO Robert Cresanti, CFE. “Americans from all walks of life turn to franchising to find first jobs, start new businesses and learn skills that lead to successful careers. The @OurFranchise campaign captures the real, positive impact of the franchise model as told by local owners in their own voice and speaks to the level of economic contribution franchise owners continue to have to the American economy.”
 
Franchising contributes $994 billion to the United States economy and supports 9.1 million jobs, including 484,000 in Colorado.  Cresanti led a roundtable discussion focused on educating the public, policymakers and the media about the franchise business model and its impact in Colorado and every community across the country. Cresanti also called on elected officials to recognize the importance of franchising during the upcoming election season, and encouraged franchising supporters to make their voices heard when choosing candidates at the polls. 
 
According to a Morning Consult survey of 10,000 nationwide voters released today, Coloradans have a favorable view of franchise businesses across all demographics including party affiliation, age, gender and race.
 
“Franchise businesses are the cornerstone of our local economy. From healthcare and food to automotive and pet care, franchise businesses create jobs, support communities and provide people with a vehicle to pursue the ‘American Dream’ of owning their own business,” said PostNet CEO Steve Greenbaum.
 
As part of the 2016 @OurFranchise Tour, Cresanti will visit with local franchisees, franchisors, employees, business and community leaders, and elected officials across the country to discuss the impact of the franchise business model as a driver of economic growth, job creation and individual opportunity. For more information, visit www.AtOurFranchise.org.
 

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We'll have a full interview with Robert Cresanti on our Connect & Collaborate radio show. Cresanti will join us to discuss Colorado's franchise industry Friday at 4:00 on Denver's Money Talk 1690 AM. 

About the International Franchise Association: Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 800,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 9.1 million direct jobs, $994 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.

Contact:
Jenna Weisbord, 310-995-0839
[email protected]
@franchising411

It was a full house for the @OurFranchise Campaign Kickoff at PostNet International Franchise Corporation in downtown Denver, Colorado.

Colorado Tourism Office Accepting Marketing Matching Grant Program Applications

This year's funding increased by over $100,000
 
DENVER - Fri., July 15, 2016 - The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is now accepting applications for its Marketing Matching Grant Program, which has increased its grants awards by $100,000. The annual competitive grant program offers financial assistance to Colorado's tourism industry for enhancing marketing efforts to visitors. All applications for grant requests must be submitted online by 4 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2016.

The program will award up to $600,000 in grants, an increase from the $500,000 awarded last year. Grants up to $25,000 each will be awarded, and for every $1 the awarded organization allocates to the program, the CTO will provide $1 in matching funds. Up to 20 percent of the match may include services such as staff time or donated services or materials relevant to the grant project. Funds will be awarded to multiple organizations in both the regional/partnership and statewide categories.

The CTO Marketing Matching Grant Program provides funding to Colorado not-for-profit organizations for promotion of the state or a region as a tourism destination. Travel regions throughout the state are eligible for these grant dollars, as well as statewide associations, organizations and other nonprofit entities that engage in promoting travel throughout Colorado.

For more information regarding the grant program and instructions on how to apply, please click here. For additional help using the online grant system, or any other questions, contact Elizabeth O'Rear at 303-892-3893 or elizabeth.o'[email protected].
 

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www.advancecolorado.com

Colorado SBDC Network's 7th Annual Women's Small Business Conference to Feature "Shark Tank" Winner

The Colorado SBDC Network's 7th Annual Women's Small Business Conference will be held on July 22 and will feature keynote speaker Traci Brown who will discuss her Shark Tank deal. Attendees will enjoy one-on-one consulting, networking and training sessions. The conference is an exciting opportunity for existing businesses wanting to grow, as well as those that are looking to start a new venture.

WHAT: 7th Annual Women's Small Business Conference

WHEN: Fri., July 22, 2016, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio, CO

WHO: Entrepreneurs throughout Colorado. Keynote speaker Traci Brown will discuss how she earned a deal from Shark Tank's original shark Kevin Harrington. She will take attendees through her Shark Tank journey - from the initial pitch to infomercial and beyond. She will discuss the persuasive techniques needed to achieve results in any area of life. 

COST: $65 (scholarships available). For more information and a detailed schedule, please visithttp://www.coloradosbdc.org/events/womens. Exhibitor tables are available for purchase.
 

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Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper
Office of Economic Development & International Trade
Holly Shrewsbury, 303-892-3847
[email protected]
 

Meet in the Street Begins Saturday; Events and Activities to Engage Community on Long-Term Future of the 16th Street Mall

DENVER (June 23, 2016) – Meet in the Street, presented by DaVita and produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, returns for a third year beginning Saturday, June 25, and continues each Saturday and Sunday on the 16th Street Mall (Mall) through July 24. Meet in the Street transforms the Mall into a fully activated pedestrian zone with activities including more than 10 extended outdoor cafes, live music, fitness classes, cultural performances, a kids zone and more.

Meet in the Street is produced in partnership with the City and County of Denver and the Regional Transportation District (RTD). The RTD Free MallRide Service will be moved to 15th Street (toward Denver Union Station) and 17th Street (away from Denver Union Station) via the Free MetroRide buses all weekend during Meet in the Street.

“The 16th Street Mall is Denver’s Main Street, and we are actively working to ensure its long-term future as a thriving public space,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “On a normal day, only one percent of people spend time on the Mall, contrasted by tens of thousands people passing through. We want to change that through place-making projects that activate the Mall and encourage people to come more often, and stay longer.”

Meet in the Street is one of the programs informing the City and the Partnership’s efforts to identify ways to help the Mall reach its full potential as a welcoming place in the heart of Downtown as part of The Mall Experience: The Future of Denver’s 16th Street Mall study. Analysis of Meet in the Street will continue this summer to help Mall partners hone in on long-term changes to the Mall and adjacent sites. Volunteer opportunities are available for urban researchers to help conduct observational studies along the Mall throughout the summer.

Each day of Meet in the Street will bring something different, with programming support from several community partners and organizations, including title sponsor, DaVita.

“We see Meet in the Street as part of our civic responsibility and are excited to do our share to help facilitate a rich experience,” said Javier Rodriguez, CEO of DaVita Kidney Care. “We are energized by the thriving Denver community and this is a great opportunity for friends and neighbors to meet and experience the 16th Street Mall in an entirely new way.”
 
Highlighted activities for the five weekends of Meet in the Street include:
·        The Partnership’s Downtown Denver Leadership Program (DDLP) will install and unveil their “Urban Tangle” project the morning of Saturday, June 25, between Stout and Champa Streets. Be sure to look up to see the installation that is designed to transform the canopy along the block through 22,600 feet of red rope that will weave from buildings and through trees. DDLP is studying and supporting Mall activation as part of their 2016 class project.

·        The Mall will transform into an urban park each weekend between Glenarm and Welton Streets, with seating, shade and turf making it the perfect place to sit and relax or challenge your friends to a lawn game.

·        Paramount Café will unveil Downtown Denver’s latest urban art just in time for Meet in the Street. The mural, running in the alley adjacent to Paramount Café, will be unveiled Friday, June 24, at 3 p.m. and was commissioned by the restaurant in collaboration with design company Ink Monstr, the Partnership, the Kittredge and Masonic Buildings, and Breckenridge Brewery. The project supports efforts to leverage alleys as thriving public spaces and the alley will host Sipping n’ Painting classes on June 25 as well as other events throughout the summer.

·        Live music will be prevalent throughout Meet in the Street, including a featured performance by the DaVita Blues All Stars’ on July 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. on the community stage located between Welton and California Streets. The DaVita Blues All Stars is a band composed exclusively of DaVita teammates to provide entertainment, fun and to support The DaVita Village Trust, which provides kidney disease education and the provision of dialysis services in emerging nations that cannot afford to provide this vital, life-saving service.

·        The Big Wonderful will bring its unique blend of music, beer gardens, games, flea and fun to the Mall between Welton and California Streets on July 9, 10, 23 and 24.

·        Play corn hole outside your favorite watering hole along the 16th Street Mall on July 9. Winners at each location will compete to become Denver’s premier corn hole champion.

Additional activities and highlighted events can be found at downtowndenver.com/summer.

Meet in the Street will culminate the weekend of July 23 and 24 with the inaugural Downtown Denver Prototyping Festival. The Prototyping Festival will feature nine projects that will experiment with ideas for public spaces and showcase ideas for how participatory design, art and technology can create connections and greater ownership of public spaces and how they are used. Accepted submissions received a $2,500 stipend to support project creation and installation.

“The Mall Experience study is helping us understand more about how the Mall’s physical features and activities affect experiences,” said Brad Buchanan, executive director of Denver Community Planning and Development. “The Mall is a very successful transit corridor, but now we want to ask more of the Mall.”

For more information about Meet in the Street, as well as other summer programs and volunteer opportunities, visit www.downtowndenver.com/summer. Follow along on social media with #MeetintheStreet.

About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com. Follow the Downtown Denver Partnership on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District
The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (BID) is a public organization funded by private commercial property owners. It strives to provide a clean, safe and vibrant Downtown environment for workers, residents and visitors. Through their annual assessments to this quasi-governmental entity, BID property owners fund a series of district-wide programs that enhance Downtown Denver, including cleaning and maintenance efforts, safety initiatives and targeted visitor marketing. The BID is an independent organization that contracts with the Downtown Denver Partnership to manage its work program. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com/about-the-bid.

Space Foundation Report Reveals Global Space Economy at $323 Billion in 2015

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 22, 2016) - The Space Foundation today released the findings of its publication The Space Report 2016: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity.

In 2015, the global space economy totaled $323 billion worldwide. The decline from $329 billion in 2014 was due primarily to the strengthening dollar, meaning that non-U.S. government budgets and industry revenues appeared smaller even though most experienced growth in their own currencies.

With a total of $246 billion, commercial space activities made up 76 percent of the global space economy. The U.S. government spent $45 billion on defense and non-defense space efforts in 2015, a 3 percent increase from 2014.

Non-U.S. government space investment declined by 14 percent in dollar terms, primarily due to exchange rates, to a total of $32 billion in 2015. In reality, most countries increased their budgets for space activities.

The Space Report Key Findings 
The Space Report 2016 contains worldwide space facts and figures and is illustrated with photographs, charts and graphs detailing the benefits of space exploration and utilization, the challenges facing the space sector, the opportunities for future growth and the major factors that shape the industry. In addition, The Space Report includes an overview of each sector, easy-to-understand definitions and up-to-date information on space infrastructure, facilities, launches and programs.

About the Report
The Space Report is published annually by the Space Foundation, using in-house industry analysts working with a European aerospace consulting firm, Eurospace, to research and analyze government and industry trends in space activity.

About the Website 
The Space Foundation offers an online service that provides subscribers with access to all the research conducted for The Space Report dating back to 2005, as well as new data sets that have never appeared in the report. This website provides users with updates throughout the year, as well as customizable charts and downloadable data for further analysis. To view more information about this service, visit www.TheSpaceReport.org.

The Space Report 2016 is on Sale Now
The Space Report is the definitive body of information about the global space industry. It is a valuable resource for government and business leaders, educators, financial analysts, students and space-related businesses. The report can be purchased as a downloadable PDF for $399. A website subscription can be purchased for $3,500. The subscription includes the ability to download every published edition of The Space Report. Purchases can be made online at www.TheSpaceReport.org.

Licenses for businesses and schools, academic pricing and discounted previous editions of The Space Report are also available via online purchase.

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of space, and is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium, in support of its mission "to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity." Space Foundation World Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, has a public Discovery Center, including El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. The Space Foundation has a Washington, D.C., office and field representatives in Houston and the Florida Space Coast. Through its Space CertificationTM and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, recognizes space-based innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest,Twitter, Google+, Flickr and YouTube, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.

 

Contact:
Carol Hively, Director - Public Relations and Team Communications
[email protected]
HQ: +1.719.576.8000

RTD Civic Center Station Closing for Major Renovation

DENVER, June 9, 2016 – Civic Center Station, one of the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) busiest regional bus transit centers, will be closing for renovation beginning on Sunday, July 3. The closure will last approximately twelve months.

Once completed, the renovated Civic Center Station will be a state-of-the-art transit hub to complement Union Station and will provide improved connections and convenience for RTD passengers.

Civic Center Station currently serves 18 bus routes and sees an average of 15,000 passengers daily. The station also serves as the endpoint for the 16th Street FREE MallRide and the FREE MetroRide.

The new Civic Center building design includes:

  • Nine bus bays
  • Glass-enclosed terminal building
  • Bus concourse rebuild
  • Bus ramp extension connecting Broadway to Lincoln
  • Open view from 16th Street Mall to the State Capital
  • Building structure that is easier to maintain and repair long-term
  • More open and welcoming environment
  • Land parcel preserved for future development opportunities

Plans for the Civic Center Station renovation began in 2011, with a report by Merrick & Company that surveyed the facility and made recommendations. During that process, it was determined that the cost for repairing and keeping the same design were comparable to redesigning and building a new facility.

During the closure, bus routes from Civic Center Station will be assigned temporary bus gates along Broadway and Lincoln Street.
Gates on Lincoln Street:
GATE A: 90L
GATE B: 122X, FF4
GATE C: R/RC/RX

Passengers using routes 90L, 122X, FF4, and R/RC/RX will board buses on Lincoln between 17th Avenue and Colfax Avenue.
Gates on Broadway:
GATE D: 0L, 3L, 83D, 83L, P
GATE E: 87L, 100L, 116X, CV/CS/CX, EV/ES/EX

Passengers using routes 0L, 3L, 83D, 83L, 87L, 100L, 116X, CV/CS/CX, EV/ES/EX and P will board buses on Broadway between 14th and Colfax.

Passengers on routes 16 and 16L will board Colfax Avenue between Lincoln and Broadway.
FREE MallRide shuttles will detour from the 16th Street Mall with the final stop at Broadway/Colfax and resume travel at Court. FREE MetroRide passengers will board at the existing stop at 16th Avenue and Broadway.

For more information about the project and to sign up to receive construction updates, visit www.rtd-denver.com/civiccenter.

About RTD
RTD’s mission is to provide safe, clean, reliable, courteous, accessible and cost-effective bus and rail services in the eight-county district, and fulfills 100 million passenger trips annually. The public transit agency is creating a larger, better and more accessible system through innovation, public-private partnerships and transit-oriented communities.

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Downtown Denver Partnership Honors Six Transformational Projects at 55th Annual Downtown Denver Awards

The Downtown Denver Partnership presented six awards today to transformational projects in Downtown Denver that contribute to an economically healthy, growing and vital center city at the 55th Annual Downtown Denver Awards Dinner, presented by Polsinelli.

The honorees, selected by a jury of key business leaders convened by the Downtown Denver Partnership, are businesses, projects and initiatives that had the most significant impact on the center city in 2015.

The 55th Annual Downtown Denver Awards winners are:

·        16M (Video)

·        Balfour at Riverfront Park (Video)

·        Co-Development Expansion Project at the Denver Art Museum │ the ART Hotel (Video)

·        Elan Union Station │ King Soopers (Video)

·        Lawrence Street Community Center (Video)

·        Regency Athletic Complex at MSU of Denver (Video)

“We are grateful for the opportunity to pause each year to celebrate the achievements that advance us toward our vision of a world-class center city,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “These projects support our place-based economic development strategy and have made significant contributions to bolster Downtown Denver as a powerful economic engine for the city, state and region.”

More than 1,000 people – a new attendance record – celebrated award winners at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.

More information about each winner is below. Click here for images available for media use, please credit the individual project for the photo. Additional information, as well as videos highlighting each project, are available at downtowndenver.com.

16M

16M is a thoughtfully designed mixed-use building in Denver’s historic Lower Downtown (LoDo) District that brings an authentic modern development to activate a previously overlooked intersection of 16th and Market Streets. The 10-story, 340,000-square-foot building creates space for residents, businesses, ground-level retail and increases pedestrian activity and vibrancy along the 16th Street Mall.

“16M supports the vibrancy of downtown Denver through its ‘live, work, play’ uses within the building’s modern yet contextual architectural design. Having our work honored for contributing to the transformation of downtown Denver makes this award very special to us!”

Brent Mather, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Design Director, Gensler

Balfour at Riverfront Park

Balfour at Riverfront Park brings one of America’s only four-star senior living communities to Downtown Denver. Balfour expands opportunities for seniors to experience all that Downtown Denver has to offer, while also accessing an entire continuum of care to meet their long-term needs.

“On behalf of the entire Balfour at Riverfront Park team, it is our honor to receive a 2015 Downtown Denver Partnership Award. By presenting Balfour with this prestigious award, you have recognized that vibrant cities are places for everyone, not just young professionals and empty nesters. And that’s how Balfour at Riverfront Park became more than a vision. We’d like to believe our community has helped in its own special way to make Downtown Denver a more dynamic and exciting place.”

Michael Schonbrun, Founder

Co-Development Expansion Project at the Denver Art Museum │ the ART Hotel

The mixed use Co-Development Expansion Project at the Denver Art Museum, including the ART Hotel, has bolstered the Broadway corridor and Golden Triangle neighborhood and established the city block as the cultural core of Downtown Denver. This world-class transformation of a public parking lot brings a new tier of visitors to Downtown and includes private mixed-use space for 55 luxury residences, new retail, 50,000 square feet of office space and the ART Hotel. 

“Mile High Development and Corporex Colorado are truly thrilled to receive a prestigious Downtown Denver Partnership Award on behalf of the Co-Development Expansion Project which validates the strong commitment made over 15 years ago to enter into a public-private partnership with the City and County of Denver and the Denver Art Museum to help transform the Civic Center neighborhood.”

George Thorn, Mile High Development

Elan Union Station │ King Soopers

Elan Union Station solidified Lower Downtown’s transition from a business district to an urban neighborhood by fulfilling a long-standing commitment to bring a first-of-its-kind, full-service grocery store to Downtown Denver. The development also features a 314-unit apartment complex and additional ground-floor retail that broadly impacts Downtown’s residents, workers and visitors.

 “The Elan Union Station project is the “front door” to the Platte Valley and adds a critical urban component to downtown Denver – the first full-service grocery store.  The Nichols Partnership, along with Loftus Developments, worked with the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, King Soopers and a variety of other constituents over a 10-year period to create this valuable amenity and advance Denver as a true 24/7 city. We are honored to be recognized by the Downtown Denver Partnership.”

Nichols Partnership

Lawrence Street Community Center

The Lawrence Street Community Center provides a safe, clean and dignified place – the first of its kind – where Denver’s homeless community can access basic services during the day, including bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, food, drinking fountains and power outlets. The facility includes a 325-seat dining center and outdoor courtyard, reducing neighborhood sidewalk congestion and helping the Denver Rescue Mission support homeless individuals on the path towards becoming self-sufficient citizens.

“This award means a tremendous amount to the Mission and all of our staff. We fought many uphill battles to see the Lawrence Street Community Center open its doors, and now we’re serving more meals and providing more services than ever before. It’s doing what it was supposed to do -- help people in dire need. And we’re so grateful Downtown Denver recognizes the value of this.”

Brad Meuli, CEO, Denver Rescue Mission

Regency Athletic Complex at MSU of Denver

The Regency Athletic Complex at MSU of Denver transformed a previously unused plot of land into a 13-acre field of dreams, enhancing health and wellness among student-athletes and the community, and creating an amenity that strengthens physical and economic connections to Downtown Denver.

“The Regency Athletic Complex allows us to engage with the neighboring community, provide premier facilities for our student-athletes and bring new people to the center city. We’ve created a place that is a vital part of the urban fabric of Downtown Denver and we are thankful for this recognition.”

Dr. Stephen Jordan, President, MSU of Denver

 

About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.

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Media Contact: 
Brea Olson
303.775.4712
[email protected]

Footers Catering Wins National Recognition for Community and Professional Development

Footers Catering was awarded the “ACE" award at the Catersource National Catering Conference in Las Vegas on March 15th, 2016.  The annual Catersource Achievement in Catering Excellence (ACE) Award recognizes companies that have shown noteworthy achievement in the catering industry through culinary, business, community and professional development.

Each year, winners are chosen to represent the best of the best in each of these three geographic regions: East, West and International. These regions are broken down into two revenue segments: Annual revenue up to $2 million and greater than $2 million.  Footers Catering won the award for best in the western region over $2 million.

Footers Catering was founded in 1981 by Jimmy Lambatos. In 2010, Jimmy’s son, Anthony, and Anthony’s wife, April, purchased the business and made the transition to a second-generation family business. Their passion for amazing events and an unprecedented company culture in their industry has elevated the Footers tradition to become a top business in Denver. Footers caters more than 700 events and feeds more than 100,000 guests each year in the Denver Metro Area and Mountain Regions.

COBRT recently hosted Anthony on its Connect and Collaborate Radio show to discuss strategic planning for success. Listen to the podcast here.

Footers Catering 

For more information about Footers Catering, visit their website or call 303-762-1410.

Granite Properties and Confluent Development Break Ground for Granite Place at Village Center Office Development

Granite Properties and Confluent Development broke ground on February 17, 2016 for a Granite Place at Village Center, a 300,000-square-foot office development in Greenwood Village.

Granite Properties, a Texas-based real estate developer with an office in Denver, and Denver-based developer Confluent Development are co-developing Granite Place at Village Center. Granite Properties also serves as the owner of the office development located within the Village Center area of Greenwood Village near I-25 and Arapahoe Road. Additional affiliated entities include Open Studio Architecture, GE Johnson, Koelbel and Company and Colliers International.

Greenwood Village Mayor Ron Rakowsky, Granite Properties Managing Director Stephanie Lawrence and Confluent Development President and CEO Marshall Burton provided remarks regarding this important development opportunity for southeast Denver. 

The transit-stop development is within walking distance of the Arapahoe at Village Center light rail station and will provide Class AA space that is in high demand for the southeast Denver market. Through well-planned development, phase one of the project will include a 10-story speculative office building with unique amenities as well as an adjacent parking garage accommodating approximately 1,000 cars. 

Granite Properties will own and manage the project, adding to its current portfolio of 950,000 square feet of commercial space in the Denver market and 9 million square feet nationwide.

Rendering of Granite Place at Village Center


Left to right: Blake Mourer (Open Studio Architecture), Marshall Burton (Confluent Development), Stephanie Lawrence (Granite Properties), Greenwood Village Mayor Ron Rakowsky, Buz Koelbel (Koelbel and Company), Justin Cooper (GE Johnson), Brad Harms (GE Johnson)

For more information, please contact Andy Boian at dovetail solutions, 303-868-0085 / [email protected].

Denver Releases JumpStart 2016 Strategic Plan for Economic Development

Denver's JumpStart 2016 sets ambitious goals

Annual “blueprint” also includes a three-year, strategic vision

Mayor Michael B. Hancock and the Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) released on Feb 22 JumpStart 2016, the city’s strategic plan for economic development. Now in its fifth annual edition, JumpStart sets bold goals for continued momentum in the city’s vibrant economy, growing good jobs and creating opportunity for all Denver residents to succeed.

“This is Denver’s time. We are seeing record-breaking economic success on so many levels, and the challenge now is to maintain this growth in a manner that will positively impact all our people,” said Mayor Hancock. “Our JumpStart vision has always been founded on inclusivity, striking a balance between bold goal setting and ensuring that we are directly creating economic mobility for residents in every corner of the city.”

As in previous years, JumpStart 2016 outlines strategic pillars of economic development: business development, small business advocacy, housing, neighborhoods, and workforce development. Each pillar includes detailed initiatives, goals, and partners with which the OED will collaborate to convert plans to action.

Included in this year’s report is a broad, three-year framework for economic development strategies for the 2016-2018 window.

“I am proud that the vision and discipline of producing a JumpStart document each year since 2012 continues to reinforce a culture shift within the city’s economic development work, stretching ourselves to accomplish greater milestones and managing to a strict scorecard for accountability which I believe makes us far more effective,” said Paul Washington, OED Executive Director.

Among the specific initiatives in the 2016 plan:

Build outreach efforts to international companies looking to expand in the U.S., while also exploring international opportunities for local firms to tap new markets

In conjunction with institutional early-stage venture funds, support Denver-based startups through a new loan fund, which in turn will provide payment enhancements to the city following a firm’s successful growth and/or exit strategy

Identify up to 500 firms that contribute to Denver’s core economy, and assign them an OED business development representative to strengthen lines of communication for future expansion or retention conversations

Provide financing to the top ideas addressing food insecurity in the Globeville-Elyria/Swansea neighborhoods

Build upon the success of the JumpStart BizPlan Awards by organizing JumpStart Academy, a consortium of startup entrepreneurs who can formally share strategic planning, finance, marketing, and mentoring practices with their peers and future applicants

Support the creation of at least 600 additional affordable and workforce housing units, and also pilot new financing tools for affordable homeownership

Establish a retail incubator and storefront on E. Colfax for immigrant-entrepreneurs to manufacture, market and sell goods to their Denver community

JumpStart 2016 is available online here.

The Commons on Champa Launches Program Series to Support Women Entrepreneurs

The Commons on Champa, a public campus for entrepreneurship in Downtown Denver created by the Downtown Denver Partnership, Colorado Technology Association and the City and County of Denver, announced today the launch of a series of programs aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs and increasing diversity within Denver’s startup community.

Read more

Mayor Hancock Establishes New Office for Redevelopment of National Western Center

Kelly Leid named Executive Director

DENVER- Mayor Michael B. Hancock announced on January 26, 2016 the city has created the Mayor's Office of the National Western Center through Executive Order No. 141. The Office will focus on realizing the bold vision of a must-see tourism destination and regional asset, transforming the Denver Coliseum and National Western Complex area to become a creative year-round activity campus.

The creation of the new office is a critical next step following the Denver voter's overwhelming support of ballot measure 2C and the State's support through Regional Tourism Act funding. Under the leadership of Kelly Leid as the new Executive Director, the Office will implement the National Western Center master plan.

"The National Western Center is set to become a unique campus that honors our heritage and brings vibrancy to these historic neighborhoods," said Mayor Hancock. "The creation of the office ensures that we are being deliberate about our approach and responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars to deliver a vision we can all be proud of. We owe it to the Denver community, the state of Colorado and our critical partners to be accountable for this collective investment that will help Denver thrive for generations to come."

The Mayor's Office of the National Western Center will assist in the formation of a governance entity and moving the work plan forward with guidance from the existing Executive Oversight Committee.  The new office will work independent of other departments and agencies and will be responsible for the budget management, maintaining existing partnerships, recruiting additional public and private partners and developing strategic communications and community outreach efforts.

In early 2013, Mayor Hancock appointed Kelly as the Executive Director of the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative, an initiative to strategically align six redevelopment projects in Globeville, Elyria and Swansea; the National Western Center is one of those six projects.  Leid will transition out of his current role as the Executive Director of the NDCC over the next 90 days. The Mayor will next move to identify a new Executive Director for the North Denver Cornerstone Collaboration.

"Kelly has been a champion for north Denver through his work at the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative," Mayor Hancock said. "He has proven himself as a thoughtful leader and his experience with large and complicated projects is critical to realize the true potential of the National Western Center vision."

As a third generation Colorado native, Kelly's experience spans over 25 years in broad-based project and operations management including 19-plus years in senior leadership positions. Kelly has worked across a range of highly visible public, private and nonprofit organizations including stadium projects for the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos.

"The past couple of years have been an unbelievable honor to create a vision that will greatly impact the future of this great city and region. I am deeply honored to help lead this new office to chart a course that will celebrate our western heritage, secure the future for the National Western Stock Show and set the stage to position Denver and our State as a major player in solving major food production and food safety issues at the National Western Center," said Kelly.  

In his new role, Kelly will continue to chair the National Western Center Executive Oversight Committee. As Executive Director, he will remain a member of the Capital Funding Alignment Subcommittee, Event Programming Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee; all committees established to advance the National Western Center vision.

Quotes from National Western Center Partners:

"For CSU, the National Western Center project is a unique opportunity to address global challenges around food, water, energy, the environment, and health in new and innovative ways. The creation of the Mayor's Office of the National Western Center showcases Mayor Hancock's commitment to fulfilling the bold vision of the National Western Center, and we look forward to working with the team to make the National Western Center a reality."

Tony Frank, President
Colorado State University

"We are excited about today's announcement which demonstrates the administration's commitment to the longevity of National Western Stock Show and creation of the National Western Center. Kelly Leid has provided great leadership on behalf of the city and we look forward to working with him to implement the vision as approved by the voters in November."

Ron Williams, Chairman of the Board
Western Stock Show Association

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MEDIA CONTACTS: 
City and County of Denver
Mayor Michael B. Hancock
Amber Miller, Communications Director
[email protected]

North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative
Erika Reyes Martinez
[email protected]
O: 720.865.2906